Our Berner Blog

Monday, March 7, 2011

A friend shared that she knew someone in Reading, PA who was breeding her Berners and that she was expecting puppies soon. We contacted the breeder and arranged a time to visit. I had never seen a Berner before that day outside of the pictures Aimee would show me on her computer.

The drive felt like it took hours and hours. We made our way north into Pennsylvania, missing exits along the way on account of poorly marked roads. Retracing our steps until we finally arrived at your birthplace. You were outside in the yard with your brothers and sisters, mom and dad. Though you were one of six with nearly indistinguishable markings, you made it easy to pick the right match for us. You encircled our legs, nipping at our fingertips and shoelaces. You yipped in a tiny puppy voice. You never once struggled free when we held you. Pure joy filled our hearts and we loved you from first sight.

Our drive home felt empty, yet somehow full of anticipation. Because you were only 4 weeks old, we'd have to wait an additional month to take you home. In that time you would grow and your personality would begin to take shape. The family called you 'Striper' because of the long stipe running from the tip of your nose up past your eyes and settling somewhere behind your ears. We named you 'Avi', the namesake of one of our favorite authors and one that felt foreign enough to befit a Swiss dog, despite the fact that it's actually a traditional Jewish name.

It was pouring when we finally came to pick you up. Having nearly doubled in weight and size, you now resembled a giant rabbit, complete with flappy ears and oversized paws. Aimee sat in the backseat with you for the duration of our drive and you never once had an accident, never once cried. We stopped to let you stretch when we reached a halfway mark. I can still picture you tromping through the tall grass outside of the gas station as we smiled and smiled over our new addition.

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Our family has changed and grown since the last post over a year ago. Since last writing, Bella has found a new home and we've welcomed Jonah Christopher, our first child, into our lives.

Bella had needs that we were unable to meet, but she was re-homed with a lovely family who lives outside of Baltimore. She's able to have company most of the time and it sounds as though her anxiety has been calming a great deal. We get occasional updates and we're happy Bella was part of our lives, even if for a short time.

Meanwhile, Jonah Christopher was born on July 22nd, 2010. Our now 4th-month-old has recently discovered Avi, probably most attracted to the strong contrasting colors of his face. Jonah loves to watch Avi, and Avi, meanwhile loves to be near our infant (even despite lots and lots of crying).

We've got lots more to share and hope to update the blog more frequently now that things are starting to fall into a routine.

Avi Wordle

About Our Berner

Notes from the life of an elementary teacher librarian. Matthew (aka The Busy Librarian) is an elementary teacher librarian, an avid gamer, a persistent reader, an author (of this blog and a forthcoming Wii Learning professional resource), an exceptional father, and a first-rate husband.